The Future of Austria
Developments in Austria seem to show that if the Council of Foreign Ministers had had a little more time to consider the ques- tion unanimity might have been reached on at least this part of cen- tral Europe. The Ministers contrived to reach general agreement on the necessity of sending supplies to prevent starvation in the coming winter and prepare the foundations of future production. With a little more time they might also have resolved on the recogni- don of the Provisional Government. Dr. Renner has summoned a conference of political delegates from the provinces, which has appointed commissions to consider political, judicial and economic problems ; and in a recent speech he has declared for a freely elected Parliament and the setting up of a Government for the whole country before Christmas. As between Russia and the western Allies the case of Austria does not present such difficulties as have led to dead- lock in the discussion of the Balkans, and Austria has offered the opportunity of a satisfactory major decision by the Foreign Ministers' Council. Here they have the possibility of restoring a republic both independent and democratic, and also, perhaps, politically satisfied. Such political satisfaction, however, depends on the righting of a wrong which was done to Austria after the last war. There is an overwhelming case for the restitution of South Tyrol, which was always predominantly populated by German-speaking people, and was never assimilated by Italy or settled with Italians ; and those of its people who were transferred to Germany should be permitted to return. Unquestionably South Tyrol should be restored to Austria.
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